]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/what-we-watched-canadas-top-30-shows-aug-19-25/feed/0‘Blacklist’ star James Spader cast as villain in ‘Avengers’ sequelhttp://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/blacklist-star-james-spader-cast-as-villain-in-avengers-sequel/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/blacklist-star-james-spader-cast-as-villain-in-avengers-sequel/#commentsThu, 29 Aug 2013 20:21:11 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14649In a few weeks, viewers will experience former Boston Legal star James Spader as a creepy criminal in buzz-worthy new Global drama The Blacklist; film-goers, however, will soon be seeing him play an even-more-deadly villain in the upcoming Avengers sequel, to be directed by Joss Whedon.

On Thursday, Marvel Comics officially announced that Spader will play comic-book super-villain Ultron, described by TV Guide as “an evil robot who possesses powers including super strength, stamina and reflexes.”

The Avengers sequel is scheduled for release in summer 2015; in the meantime, Spader’s The Blacklist premieres Monday, September 23 on Global.

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/blacklist-star-james-spader-cast-as-villain-in-avengers-sequel/feed/0Valerie Harper reveals terminal brain cancer “in remission”http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/valerie-harper-reveals-terminal-brain-cancer-in-remission/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/valerie-harper-reveals-terminal-brain-cancer-in-remission/#commentsThu, 29 Aug 2013 16:35:16 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14637After being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and given three months to live back in January, former Mary Tyler Moore star Valerie Harper remains alive (and, rumour has it, dancing), and this morning made the shocking revelation that her terminal cancer appears to be in remission.

During an sneak peek at an upcoming NBC primetime special, aired Thursday morning on NBC’s Today, Harper’s neuro-oncologist Dr. Jeremy Rudnick told host Meredith Vieira that her leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is “pretty close to remission,” which he admits “defies the odds.”

Patients suffering from that particular form of cancer, Rudnick says, “develop resistance to the therapy. And it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”

What that means is that Harper is far from out of the woods yet, but has more time than doctors previously believed.

“Going from having three months to live, or less; we’re into our sixth month, and now there’s even hope beyond right now we’re looking at,” says Harper’s husband, Tony Caccioti. “We’re looking at Christmas!” added Harper.

“Life is about buying time,” said Dr. Rudnick in the documentary, scheduled to air Thursday, September 19 on NBC.

“Exactly,” says Harper. “That’s what I always say.”

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/valerie-harper-reveals-terminal-brain-cancer-in-remission/feed/0TV stars in music videoshttp://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/tv-stars-in-music-videos/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/tv-stars-in-music-videos/#commentsThu, 29 Aug 2013 12:42:57 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14463What does it take to turn a music video into a mega hit? You need a sensational song and dynamic choreography, of course, but you also need beautiful people. That’s why bands routinely enlist the help of A-list actors and actresses to help bring their vision to the small screen. Turn up your speakers as we look at 10 hit videos featuring bona fide television stars.

Courteney Cox (“Dancing in the Dark” – Bruce Springsteen)
Courteney Cox was still a complete unknown in 1984 when she was handpicked by acclaimed director Brian De Palma to star in Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” video. Sporting tight blue jeans and a sleeveless tour t-shirt, the future Friends star played a wide-eyed fan who was invited onstage to boogie with the Boss. Unbeknownst to Cox, her self-conscious dance moves would become part of television history several years later when actor Alfonso Ribeiro began using them as the basis of his hilarious “Carlton Dance” on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

David Boreanaz (“White Flag” – Dido)
Nearly every woman in the world wanted to have David Boreanaz as a boyfriend back in 2003, so it’s hardly surprising that the Angel star was cast as Dido’s brooding love interest that year in her video for “White Flag.” His appearance ensured the video got plenty of airplay and helped Dido sell more than five million copies of the single worldwide.

Chevy Chase (“You Can Call Me Al” – Paul Simon)
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That was Paul Simon’s thinking in 1986 after seeing the original music video for “You Can Call Me Al.” Shot at 30 Rock, the video featured Simon performing the song during one of his many appearances on Saturday Night Live. Although the audio quality was superb, Simon felt the video needed more of a hook, so he enlisted the help of his friend (and SNL alumnus) Chevy Chase. Together they performed a kind of musical skit in which Chase lip synced the lyrics while a visibly deflated Simon went back and forth thanklessly schlepping instruments. The revamped video played a large role in the song’s success and it went on to become a huge hit in the U.S. and Europe.

Michael J. Fox (“Stick Around” – Julian Lennon)
There are few videos that transport you back to the 1980s faster than Julian Lennon’s “Stick Around.” Released in 1986, the video features Saturday Night Live’s Joe Piscopo as a beefed up jock and Michael J. Fox as a pizza delivery man who gets to frolic on the singer’s bed with a trio of bikini babes. Jam-packed with teased hair, artfully-ripped jeans and inflatable furniture, this four-minute clip stands on its own as a time capsule to a bygone era.

Jerry Springer (“David Duchovny” – Bree Sharp)
You’d be hard pressed to find more star power in a single clip than in Bree Sharp’s “David Duchovny” video. Written in honour of The X-Files star, this five-minute homage features more than a dozen celebrities lip-syncing her lyrics including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Whoopi Goldberg, Gillian Anderson, Jenna Elfman, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jane Leeves and Alex Trebek. As entertaining as their cameos may be, it’s Jerry Springer’s appearance at the very end that really takes the cake. Appearing on the set of his talk show, the self-proclaimed Sultan of Salaciousness references Barbra Streisand, Gary Coleman and satanic lesbians before making an impassioned plea for Duchovny to love him. It’s ridiculous, over-the-top and absolutely perfect.

Elisha Cuthbert (“Perfect Situation” – Weezer)
How do you ensure that your music video becomes a hit? You cast Elisha Cuthbert in it, of course. The Calgary native had just been named one of the 100 sexiest women in the world by FHM when she was selected to play the lead singer of a fictional band in Weezer’s “Perfect Situation” video. The inspired bit of casting was well received by fans and propelled the song to the top of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks for four weeks.

Zooey Deschanel (“She’s Got Issues” – The Offspring)
Zooey Deschanel was still two years removed from her breakthrough role in Almost Famous when she was selected to play a highly unstable young woman in The Offspring’s “She’s Got Issues” video. Typical of many of the roles she’s played since, Deschanel’s character in the video possessed a vivid imagination, an offbeat perspective and, of course, a wickedly quirky sense of humour. “My character in this video is a girl who’s sort of stuck in a uniform, pedestrian, plain world who has a very vivid imagination,” she told MTV at the time. “Mainly she’s just a cool girl stuck in a place where they aren’t a lot of cool people.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Sour Girl” – Stone Temple Pilots)
Stone Temple Pilots only had one song reach the Billboard Hot 100, and its video starred Sarah Michelle Gellar. Coincidence? We think not. The Buffy The Vampire Slayer star was at the height of her popularity in 2000 when she appeared in the trippy video as a bizarrely costumed goth chick who morphs into a blonde goddess.

Matt LeBlanc (“Miracle” – Bon Jovi)
Matt LeBlanc and Jon Bon Jovi were both in the early stages of their careers in 1990 when the two heartthrobs combined forces on the music video for “Miracle.” Created for the blockbuster film Young Guns II, the video featured the two stars as a pair of badass bikers who roll into a Mexican town. Once there, Bon Jovi finds plenty of chances to flaunt his abundance of chest hair while LeBlanc falls in love with a beautiful senorita whose hair is only a little less perfect than his own. It’s a little like the cover of a Harlequin novel came to life, and it helped the song chart at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Mila Kunis (“Jaded” – Aerosmith)
When it came time to cast the lead in their video for “Jaded” one of the most famous bands from the 1970s chose one of the most famous actresses from That ’70s Show. Dressed in a gorgeous ballgown, Mila Kunis played a sullen prima donna who had been rendered numb by the opulence that engulfed her. The lavish video was a hit with fans and critics alike and was named Best Hard Rock Clip of the Year at the 2001 Billboard Music Video Awards.

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/tv-stars-in-music-videos/feed/0Harry Connick, Jr. the frontrunner to be next ‘American Idol’ judgehttp://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/harry-connick-jr-the-frontrunner-to-be-next-american-idol-judge/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/harry-connick-jr-the-frontrunner-to-be-next-american-idol-judge/#commentsThu, 29 Aug 2013 11:05:39 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14617An early contender for a spot at theAmerican Idol judges’ table who seemingly fell off the shortlist has re-emerged as a front-runner: New Orleans-born musician/actor Harry Connick, Jr.

With the clock running down before auditions for the next season begin, American Idol producers are frantically trying to lock down the judging panel for the coming season, which already includes returnees Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, although the latter has yet to be officially confirmed, while previous frontrunner Dr. Luke was forced to step away due to a conflict of interest between the show and his record label, Sony Music. Former judge Randy Jackson, meanwhile, will be returning, but as a replacement for mentor Jimmy Iovine, who won’t be returning this season.

According to Deadline.com, Connick Jr.’s name has been continually been mentioned whenever Idol goes hunting for a new judge, and this time he may actually be taking the job. “I hear the singer is on a shortlist of candidates for the seat on theIdoljudging table, which became vacant again after a deal with music producer Dr. Luke fell through at the last minute,” writes Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva.

She continues: “Asked in May on The Ellen DeGeneres Show whether he would be interested if asked to become a judge on Idol, Connick Jr. said, ‘Well, yeah, I mean I had a really good time! I had a good time mentoring. Judging is a whole different deal; I don’t know how good I would be at that.’”

However, The Hollywood Reporter claims that Fox is actually kind of lukewarm on the crooner, but he may wind up landing the gig simply because time is running out (taping is scheduled to begin on Tuesday) and the network is reluctant to add another woman to the panel after last season’s Nicki Minaj/Mariah Carey debacle.

If things aren’t sorted out over the Labour Day weekend, it’s expected that taping will have to be delayed.

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/harry-connick-jr-the-frontrunner-to-be-next-american-idol-judge/feed/0Report: Terminally ill Valerie Harper heading to ‘Dancing With the Stars’http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/report-terminally-ill-valerie-harper-heading-to-dancing-with-the-stars/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/report-terminally-ill-valerie-harper-heading-to-dancing-with-the-stars/#commentsWed, 28 Aug 2013 17:58:58 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14601Despite being given only three months to live — nearly six months ago! — terminally ill Valerie Harper continues to defy the odds, and the former Mary Tyler Moore Show star’s next move will be to hit the dance floor as a contestant on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars.

TMZ is reporting that the 74-year-old actress has already signed on, and has already begun practicing with dance partner Tristan MacManus, and TMZ notes “sources” who claim she’s “surprisingly good” and is “completely self-sufficient and doesn’t need any special assistance … at least so far.”

TMZ is also reporting that other celebs who’ve signed on for the show this season include Jersey Shore‘s Snooki, former Showgirls star Elizabeth Berkley, Glee‘s Amber Riley, Christina Milian and Leah Remini, who made headlines recently with her bitter break from Scientology.

The official announcement of who’ll be in the cast of the fall 2013 edition of DWtS will be made live on Wednesday, September 4 during Good Morning America.

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/report-terminally-ill-valerie-harper-heading-to-dancing-with-the-stars/feed/1Disgraced celeb chef Paula Deen returns to TV…sort ofhttp://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/disgraced-celeb-chef-paula-deen-returns-to-tv-sort-of/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/disgraced-celeb-chef-paula-deen-returns-to-tv-sort-of/#commentsWed, 28 Aug 2013 16:43:43 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14591She’s been flying under the radar since her career cratered after revelations of her use of racist language, but tonight, butter-loving Southern chef Paula Deen will re-emerge with her first TV appearance since the scandal.

Deen will appear on tonight’s episode of Gordon Ramsay’sMasterChef, which was taped back in March, several months before Deen’s damaging deposition went public.

According to The Los Angeles Times, executives at the Fox network have been engaged in much hand-wringing over whether or not to even air the episode, and considered editing her out of the show. Unfortunately, Deen is said to be an integral part of a key moment in the competition (she reportedly reveals which contestants make it to the final four), leaving Fox little choice but to air an episode featuring a woman who is now one of television’s most reviled personalities.

As the Time points out, Deen’s “appearance sets the stage for potentially cringe-worthy moments of Deen oozing her ‘Hey Y’all’ drawl while the controversy over her use of racially charged language still hangs in the air.” It remains to be seen whether Deen will prove to be a ratings boon or bust, depending on whether disgusted viewers steer clear or if curious looky-loos decide to tune in for a glimpse of the disgraced former Food Network star.

Deen’s episode of MasterChef airs tonight on CTV and Fox.

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/disgraced-celeb-chef-paula-deen-returns-to-tv-sort-of/feed/0Storage Wars Canada – Reviewhttp://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/storage-wars-canada-review/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/storage-wars-canada-review/#commentsWed, 28 Aug 2013 14:09:18 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14421Do we really need a Canadian version of Storage Wars, the A&E hidden-treasures reality hit? I mean, Storage Wars Canada only differs from the original show in a few minors ways.

But, then again, did we really need a Storage Wars New York? Or a Storage Wars Texas? And I do like those shows. So why not Storage Wars Canada? Our Canuck locker crap is just as good as any crap south of the border. Plus, Storage Wars Canada’s minor tweaks even improve on the original.

The series really hits the ground running in its first episode, airing Thursday on OLN. Unlike its American original – which took a season or two to establish its motley cast of storage locker buyers – Storage Wars Canada puts a heavy, early emphasis on character development (and conflict).

The cast even comes with its own ready-made nicknames. Like Don ‘The Auctioneer’ Reinhart, bid bumper Roy ‘The Instigator’ Dirnbeck, rookie Ursula ‘The Knockout’ Stolf, and father and son Paul and Bogart Kenny, the so-called ‘High-Roller And The Kid’.

But the breakout stars in the opening episode have to be Rick Coffill and angry, gravelly-voiced Cindy Hayden, the ‘Veterans’ of this series. They got locker attitude to spare.

Right from the opening, the fur flies as the Veterans disparage newcomer Ursula, and father and son clash on proper auction approaches. Everyone makes fun of each other but it’s all in the competitive spirit of the hunt for discarded treasure.

Which is fun, if somewhat contrived. You often wonder about these reality series. Just how much is real and how much is for the cameras? Hard to say. In the end, best not to think about it. If the characters are interesting and the bidding is exciting, the viewer should be happy.

Of course, the real reason to tune in is the stuff in the lockers. And I won’t spoil that for you except to say yes, there’s plenty of Canadian treasure to be found amid the crap. But like other Storage Wars series, it’s all about the surprise. Heck, even the commercial breaks are set up with cliff-hangers. Just as the buyers get their first glimpse of locker loot, they cue the commercial.

Annoying. But smart.

As with the premiere episode – which is centered around a storage auction in Aurora – the entire first season of Storage Wars Canada will focus exclusively on auctions in the Toronto area. Which is a bit of a shame. As long as we’re in Canada, it’d be nice to see a few East and West Coast lockers. Though now that I write that, I see how ridiculous that sounds. Maybe Season Two?

Beyond that, though, you don’t want to mess too much with a winning formula. Just show me the weird locker stuff and I will be happy.

Storage Wars Canada premieres Thursday at 9 p.m. on OLN.

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/storage-wars-canada-review/feed/0‘CSI’ star to take “leave of absence” after fight with pregnant writerhttp://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/csi-star-to-take-leave-of-absence-after-fight-with-pregnant-writer/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/csi-star-to-take-leave-of-absence-after-fight-with-pregnant-writer/#commentsWed, 28 Aug 2013 11:33:38 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14577CSI star George Eads, who has played crime-scene investigator Nick Stokes on the hit crime drama since its debut in 2000, will be taking a “leave of absence” from the show after a nasty altercation with a CSI writer.

As reported in The Hollywood Reporter, Eads engaged in “a heated exchange” with an eight-months-pregnant writer due to his displeasure over the direction his character was taking in an episode she wrote. When showrunner Carol Mendelsohn was apprised of the incident, she met with Eads, who threatened to quit.

As a result of that meeting, “George Eads will not appear in several episodes during the first half of the season,” a representative for CBS said in a statement. “We look forward to him returning to CSI very soon.”

Eads will appear in the upcoming season’s first three episodes, which have already been shot. No return date has been set, only that he will presumably reappear in the second half of the season.

Eads, one of only three cast-members to have remained on the show since the first episode, was famously involved in a 2004 salary dispute in which he and co-star Jorja Fox refused to show up for work until the received raises; after the network declared them in breach of contract and sent out a casting notice for actors to replace them, both Fox and Eads returned to CSI — reportedly at their original salaries.

]]>http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/csi-star-to-take-leave-of-absence-after-fight-with-pregnant-writer/feed/0Former Disney star Demi Lovato to get edgy on ‘Glee’http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/former-disney-star-demi-lovato-to-get-edgy-on-glee/
http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/former-disney-star-demi-lovato-to-get-edgy-on-glee/#commentsWed, 28 Aug 2013 10:59:24 +0000http://blogs.shawconnect.ca/tv/?p=14569After the announcement that X Factor judge Demi Lovato would be joining Glee for a multi-episode guest-starring arc this season, details are emerging about her character — and the sexy shenanigans she’ll be engaging in.

According to People, Glee actress Naya Rivera has revealed the the former Disney Channel star will be playing the “love interest” of her character, bisexual Santana. “We get to sing a song together,” she added.

Lovato is scheduled to appear in six episodes of Glee this season, playing a hip New York artist named Dani. As TV Guide points out, this will be the first acting role Lovato has taken on since the end of her Disney Channel hit Sonny With a Chance.